Divine Mercy Parish in Palmer gets ready for annual picnic

Photo by Don Treeger / The RepublicanMembers of the Divine Mercy Church in Three Rivers are making 12,000 pierogis for their annual picnic later this month. Here, Mary Majka stirs pierogis cooking in a pot of water.

And that would be traditional Polish fare, such as pierogi, golumbki and kapusta, a cabbage soup. In the weeks leading up to the July 22 picnic, a team of volunteers gather at the church hall on Main Street in Three Rivers to make the food, and they take their roles seriously, moving like a well-oiled machine.

Take Mary E. Majka, of Belchertown, who heads the Polish-food making in the kitchen. She was recruited a few years ago because of her catering experience. Her family also used to run Tenczar’s Market on Main Street, where they sold Polish delicacies.

The recipe she uses for pierogi was passed down by her grandmother. She estimates she’s been making the dumpling-like food for more than 20 years.

Majka said they will have 12,000 pierogis ready to sell at the picnic. They will offer three varieties – the traditional cabbage, as well as cheese and blueberry. Cabbage are the most popular.

“As far as I know we are one of the only churches around that do cheese and blueberry,” Majka said.

She also advises those who want blueberry pierogis to arrive early because they “sell out fast.” They started making blueberry pierogis two years ago because people were asking for them, she said. That was the year she took over the food operation for the church picnic. In fact, she said they usually sell out of all the Polish food by the end of the night.

On a recent weekday, Majka had about a half dozen volunteers, including her mother, Betty F. Tenczar, helping her make golumbki, which are filled with meat and rice and wrapped in a cabbage leaf. Other volunteers were Jean Roberts and Patricia V. Dulude, of Belchertown, and Joanne M. Jensen, of Palmer.

“We put a lot of work into this,” said Roberts, as she readied a tray of golumbki.

There will be 2,000 golumbki for sale at the picnic.

Majka said the pierogis also can be purchased fresh or frozen on the day of the picnic, so people can bring them home to eat them.

"The food," said Majka, "is the best part of the picnic."

She said the picnic is something people look forward to every year.

"It's fun, being together with other people from the church. Everyone has a good time getting together," Majka said.

Fred Orszulak, picnic committee chairman, said the picnic has been a tradition for at least 40 years. He said there is something for everyone - from music and dancing and games and raffles.

Robert B. Lavoie, a picnic committee member, said he goes for the food, but his 8-year-old son Harrison likes the dunk tunk and rubber chicken throw. To illustrate the picnic's appeal with those of all ages, Lavoie said his son has been so excited about the picnic that he's been helping him hang flyers about it around town.

Lavoie said admission is free, and said the picnic "is a good outing for the family." The day will start off at 11 a.m. with a Polka Mass. The picnic begins at noon and runs until 8:30 p.m.

There also will be American-style food, such as hamburgers and hot dogs. A chicken barbeque will be served from noon to 2 p.m. and will feature a half chicken, baked potato, salad, dessert and drink for $10. For advance tickets call Fred at (413) 283-5620.

There also will be raffles, including 300 gallons of heating oil from Chudy's, a lawn tractor, and five cash prizes, ranging from $1,000 to $100. The picnic will be held rain or shine, and is expected to draw thousands. The Eddie Forman Orchestra will perform from 2 to 7 p.m.